Chapter 3

My temples pounded with absolute rage. "If she dies, the Council will execute you! You think this is a game?"

Tessa took a slow sip of her champagne, looking incredibly smug. "Don't try to scare me with the boogeyman Council. You want out? Submit to me.

"You were so tough a minute ago. What happened—heard my Alpha was coming and started shaking?"

Rowena's wolf was already damaged and weak. Between the silver burns and the severe reaction triggered by the wolfsbane, she was completely drained. She was fading fast.

I bit my lip hard. I couldn't let Rowena die.

I'd swallow any pride right now if it meant keeping her safe.

I opened my mouth, but Rowena grabbed my arm.

Her voice was shaking, but her eyes were lethal. "I’ve never bowed to anyone in my life, and I won't bow to a whore. I can hold on. When Caleb gets here, he is no longer my son. Don't worry—my mate broke my heart a long time ago. I am on your side."

Seeing we weren't begging, Tessa's smile vanished. Her eyes turned cold.

She snapped at Bruno. "Dump the ice."

Bruno hit a lever. Gallons of bone-chilling water flooded the pool. I couldn't stop shivering.

Rowena's lips were turning blue. She was losing consciousness fast.

I slapped her cheek. No response. She was completely limp.

I held my breath and dragged her toward the edge, but Bruno used the silver pole to shove us back in, over and over.

I broke. I screamed until my throat burned and my eyes stung. "She's dying! Let her out! If anything happens to her, this territory and both of you are finished! When Caleb gets here, he will end you!"

Bruno finally froze. He saw the deathly gray color of Rowena's skin.

He ran over to Tessa, panicking. "Tessa, she looks really bad. Maybe we should let them up. If she dies on the territory, the Alpha will have my head."

Tessa paused, then scoffed. "Coward. So now you're scared of losing your job. I wasn't 'planning' on killing anyone. Some people are just too stubborn. I said, if they beg, I'll think about it. They aren't dead yet. I just want to see them break."

Backed by her, Bruno puffed out his chest like a brave little dog. "Let me properly introduce you. This is Tessa Montgomery—the Alpha's woman.

"This whole territory? It serves her. Everything here answers to her. You never should have been let in today.

"If you want to live, you better start begging right now. Fix your attitude. Otherwise, no one can save you."

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. Rowena looked completely unconscious.

I threw all my pride and dignity out the window. I pushed down my wolf’s furious roar.

"Please. Let my mother-in-law out. Her wolf is damaged. She's really dying."

Tessa smirked, soaking up every second of this. "Didn't you just call me a dirty bed-warmer? Now, admit you're a lowly Omega and that I am the true Luna. Maybe then I'll think about it."

She was clearly obsessed with the title. Crazy jealous of a woman she'd never even met.

Too bad for her... I am Valerie.

She had no clue she was forcing the actual mate to drag her own name through the mud.

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms. I swallowed the humiliation.

Then, word by word, filled with pure hatred, I spat, "I am a pathetic Omega. You are the true Luna. Is that enough? Now let her out!"

She flashed me a wicked, ugly smile. "I said I'd 'think about it.' And guess what? I thought about it. The answer is no. You two stay right there in the water."